Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-01-06
NEW YEAR,s-DAY.



WnAhinxsou-Att the white House,
WASHINGTON, Jan. LA disagreeable
day uBhered in the new year. A coid
drizzling rain was falling, the sky was
dark and the streets deep with slnsh.
Notwithstanding theunfayorRole weather,
however, the day was generally observed
by Suspension Of business and social
calling. Before noon the rain ceased and
the day frightened somewhat.
AT the White House all of the prepare
tons for the pnblo reception we're COM
pleted last night. There was no special
effort TO secure decorative effects, and
flowers aud palms constituted the only
embellishments Of the interior. The
Railways and the East Room we're IN
their usual New Yearsday attire with
parlands and festoans of smilax sus-
PENDED from the crystal chandeliers,
aud gilded and silyered wicker
pots containing palms and tropical plants
filling every niche and covering the man.
tells. The Blue Parlor whore the recep-
ton took place was laviahly decorated
with great banks Of cut flowers and nod
ding palms The light from mum r.
Gus gas Jets rnelinwed the dry
light that Tpunu ltB way through
the partly-drawn curtains. The Marine
band WIS stationed in the main hall and
disconrsed strains Of popular music dur
ing the ceremonies. On either side of
the entrance to the mansion stood file
of police in dress uniform. A few min
utes after Ii O'Clock the Marine band be-.
gan to play "Hail to the Chief" and
the presidential party came through the
central hall and passed into the Blue Par
Tor.
President Cleveland led the party, with
Mrs. Manning on his arm. He was in
full dress, and walked without percepi-
BILE hindrance, although his gait was
slow. The President looked unoommonly
we'll, considering his recent illness, and,
although there were few lines of suffer-
ing apparent in his face, his color was
good, and he seemed to bein good spirits.
Following the President came Secretary
Bayard and Mrs. Cleveland, Secretary
Manning and Mrs. Endicott, Secretary
Endicott and Mrs. Villas, Postmaster
General Villas aud Secretary Whitney and
Colonel Lamont and Lieutenant DuVall
of the navy. President Cleveland
took a position next to the west
entrance of the Blue Room with Mrs.
Cleveland at his left, and Mrs. Manning,
Mrs. Endicott and Mrs. Villas just beyond.
The reception Immediately began with
| the presentation by Assistant Secretary
Adee and Chief Clerk Brown, Of
the diplomatic corps, which was headed
by the dean, Mr.. Preston, the Hnytien
minister The President stood without
support, and greeted every person in the
| line with smile and cordial shake Of
the hand. Passing on the guests were
received by Mrs. Cleveland with grace
full yet dignified welcome, and
extended hand. The ladies Of the
cabinet ministers also had smile and
how in answer to every greeting. After
the members of the diplomatic corps had
exchanged the Fluctuations OF the searcn,
with the President and the ladies assistiI 2
in the reception, many Of them passed
| around in the fnr Of the line and
ehatted for few minutes with
the members Of the cabinet and
other officials who stood in the
south end If tho Blue patlor. The jus.
tees of the supreme court next paid
their respects TO the President. Justice
Woods was the only absentee. Next il
! order came the members Of the court 81
claims, the local Judiciary, district Off.
cials, ex ministers, senators and represen
tatives.
At noon the band struck up martha
air, and the officers OF the navy rnlnber
ing over 100, under the lend OF Rear
Admiral Wells, entered tho mansion anG
paid their respects to the President
and party. They we're followed bj
about 125 army officers headed
by Lieutenant General Sheridan and
ex-Judge Advocate General Holt. Al
1890 o'clock the departmental officers
and bureau chiefs were received Follow
ing came the veterans OF the wor of 1915
and 1916, the G.. A. X. and the Oldest in
habitants of the association of the Die
trict of Columbia. AT o'clock the gaiei
were thrown open to the general public
and their reception is still in progress Al
this hour.